How to Marry a Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page B

from the cabins below, blinking in the bright morning sunlight.
    “My poor nerves,” Aunt Adele murmured, clutching Jack’s arm with one hand and leaning on Georgiana with the other. “I dread our return, my dears, if the crossing is anything like what we’ve just endured. I know not how all these poor boys make the trip.” She nodded at the sailors, who scurried about the deck and gangplank with aplomb.
    “The journey should be better at the end of summer,” Jack assured them. He winked at Georgiana. “You bore up quite well, miss. You should have seen her, Aunt Adele. She was a pillar of stoic fortitude. At one point, I rather feared our little girl was going to shove the pilot aside and take the wheel into her own hands.”
    “I was not,” she corrected, but gave him a grateful look when Aunt Adele cracked the merest of smiles.
    “My grandfather’s carriage should be waiting for us,” Jack said. “We’ll ride in comfort to Bolbec. You’ll have your land legs back in no time.”
    Georgiana gazed up at him from beneath her lashes. His chest tightened, but he shook off the feeling. She was a good girl, and it was kind of her to be at her aunt’s disposal. He forced himself to picture her in a starched pinafore, her long curls bouncing down her back. She’d been beguiling back then, too, able to convince him and Jonathan—though less Jonathan and more so Jack—to play one more game. One more push on the swing beneath the giant oak standing guard in the park. Jonathan would allow a few more minutes, but Jack had been the victim of her charms too often. He’d once spent several hours patiently braiding daisies into crowns for her dolls, and another time had crawled around on all fours while she pretended he was her pet dragon.
    Aunt Adele’s discreet cough brought him back to the present. He assisted Georgiana in situating the older woman on a bench outside a lading house.
    “I’ll help you organize our things. We have so many trunks and boxes I fear you might leave one behind in your haste to be rid of us.” Georgiana took his arm before he’d offered it.
    “I would never be so hasty as to leave the company of two pleasant ladies.” He swept a bow to Aunt Adele, who waved weakly.
    “Off you go, my dears. As soon as I’m sitting by the hearth and drinking a cup of hot tea, I shall be as good as new.”
    Jack led Georgiana through the throng of sailors and passengers swarming the crowded docks. He was mildly amazed at her ease in moving through all classes of workman and passenger, but it was the Lockewood goodwill in her. She looked around, her eyes shining with excitement. A twinge of sympathy filled him. She had suffered much because of Edward Mitford. One day, Mitford would receive his just reward. Jack fervently hoped he would be there to see it.
    “What a lovely day,” Georgiana commented, after they’d given instructions of where to send the luggage. “I feel as if I am truly on holiday.”
    Her earlier paleness had vanished. The salty, fresh air brought out a rosy hue in her cheeks reminding Jack of her younger self. Little else reminded him of how she used to look. She was taller than he’d expected but possessed natural curves no amount of tight corsetry could hide. Her blue eyes flashed before she turned away to look around at the bustling crowds.
    He cleared his throat roughly, as if the gesture would also clear his mind.
    Months ago, he’d been eager to start this journey, aware of the delights awaiting him. He’d made the acquaintance of a bored, married countess on his last visit. She’d written him several times, promising his latest trip would be one he’d remember. Before Lockewood had secured him to escort the ladies, the countess had filled his every waking thought. He glanced down at the gloved hand gripping his arm and couldn’t remember what the countess looked like.
    Georgiana met his gaze. “I’m so glad you’re with me, Jack.” She tucked her other hand over